Device for transmitting a restraining force during running training

ABSTRACT

A device for transmitting a restraining force to the body of a runner during running training, including a strap to be wound around the body, and an element for connecting the strap to a tension cord transmitting the restraining force. The connection element engages behind the strap, and upon a body rotation of the runner, rolls and/or glides in the circumferential direction of the strap on the inner side of the strap facing the body.

The invention relates to a device for transmitting a restraining forceto the body of a runner during running training, having a strap to bewrapped around the body and an element for connecting the strap to atension cord that transmits the restraining force.

Such a device that transmits the force of a restraining device to thebody of a runner and comprises a strap and a connecting element isdisclosed in DE 10 2011 053 199 A1. The restraining force transmissibleby the device always acts in the same direction on the runner.

The invention is based on the object of creating a novel device of thetype mentioned at the beginning, which allows running training with morevariants than conventional devices of this type.

The device according to the invention that achieves this object ischaracterized in that the connecting element engages behind the strapand, upon a body rotation of the runner, rolls and/or slides in thestrap circumferential direction over the strap inner side facing thebody.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention allows any desiredbody rotations during running with a constantly applied restrainingload, such that the runner can change for example from running forwardto running backward, optionally via running sideways.

The strap may be configured as a nondetachably closed strap, optionallyendless, i.e. without connected ends.

In one embodiment, the strap has, on its inner side facing the body ofthe runner, a surface that promotes the gripping of the strap on thebody.

Advantageously, the strap does not slide downward off the body evenwhen, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, ithas a greater circumference than the body of the runner. Such a widestrap ensures that there is enough room for the connecting element toperform a rolling and/or sliding movement.

While the connecting piece could be connected for example captively tothe restraining cord, it is preferably connected nondetachably and thuscaptively to the strap, wherein it engages around the strap for examplein the manner of an eye.

The connecting piece expediently has a roller which extends over theentire width or virtually the entire width of the strap.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the connecting piece comprises ametal core encapsulated with plastics material, which gives theconnecting piece high stability, while the outer side is advantageouslyformed by a softer material.

In particular, the connecting piece is configured in a plate-like mannerwith a cutout for the strap to pass through, wherein the roller ispreferably arranged within the cutout.

Expediently, the cutout is closed all around, thereby giving theconnecting piece stability in addition.

Expediently, the roller is rotatable about an axle pin which is weldedto the metal core and is partially co-encapsulated with the plasticsmaterial.

The invention is explained further in the following text on the basis ofan exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings which relate tothis exemplary embodiment and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention in different workingpositions,

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a connecting piece used in the device inFIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the connecting piece in FIG. 2.

A device for transmitting a restraining force comprises a strap 1 and anelement 2 via which the strap 1 is connectable to a tension cord 4 thatexerts the restraining force along arrow 3. The tension cord 4 can be aconstituent part of a restraining device (not shown), as is disclosedfor example in the abovementioned application.

In the example shown, the strap 1 consists of a firm fabric made ofplastics threads and has a width of 5 cm. As a result of overlappingends being sewn together, the strap 1 is closed nondetachably to form aring.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the connecting element 2 is configuredsubstantially in a plate-like manner with a cutout 5 in the form of arectangular eye opening for the strap 1 to pass through and a circulareye opening 6 for coupling the tension cord 4. A roller 7 mounted on anaxle pin 8 so as to be able to rotate projects into the rectangular eyeopening 5, the length of said roller 7 corresponding approximately tothe width of the strap 1 in the example shown.

In the example shown, the connecting element 2 has a sheet steel core 9,illustrated by dashed lines, onto which a plastics coating isinjection-molded. While the sheet steel core 9 is set back with respectto the outer plate rim and the edge of the rectangular eye opening, itprojects right up to the circular eye opening 6.

The axle pin 8 is welded at its ends to the sheet steel core 9. As canbe seen in FIG. 3, the plastics coating has a thickened portion 10 inthese connecting regions.

In order to use the device, a training runner, for example, puts thestrap 1 around their body 11 and couples the connecting piece 2, whichis connected to the strap captively in a form-fitting manner in theexample shown, for example with the aid of a snap hook 12 to the cord 4of the restraining device. As a result of a tensile force exertedconstantly along arrow 3 by the restraining device, the strap 1 restsfrictionally against the body 11 without sliding down and the connectingelement 2 is kept at a distance from the body 11.

During their running movement, the runner has to constantly overcome arestraining force, with the result that the achievable training effectcan be enhanced. As FIG. 1b shows, the device allows a rotation of thebody 11 along arrow 13 with a restraining load applied, wherein theroller 7 of the connecting piece 2 rolls in the strap circumferentialdirection along arrow 14 over the strap inner side.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A device for transmitting a restraining force to abody of a runner during running training, comprising: a strap to bewrapped around the body; and an element for connecting the strap to atension cord that transmits the restraining force, wherein theconnecting element engages behind the strap and, upon rotation of thebody of the runner, rolls and/or slides in a circumferential directionof the strap over an inner side of the strap facing the body.
 13. Thedevice according to claim 12, wherein the strap is configured as anondetachably closed ring.
 14. The device according to claim 13, whereinthe ring has ends that are not connected together.
 15. The deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the strap has, on its inner side of thestrap facing the body of the runner has a surface that promotes grippingof the strap on the body.
 16. The device according to claim 12, whereinthe strap has a circumference greater than a circumference of the bodyof the runner.
 17. The device according to claim 12, wherein theconnecting element engages around the strap as an eye.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the connecting element is connected tothe strap nondetachably in a form-fitting manner.
 19. The deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the connecting element has a roller thatextends over substantially an entire width of the strap.
 20. The deviceaccording to claim 19, wherein the roller extends of the entire width ofthe strap.
 21. The device according to claim 19, wherein the connectingelement has a metal core encapsulated with plastic material.
 22. Thedevice according to claim 19, wherein the connecting element isconfigured a plate with a cutout for the strap to pass through.
 23. Thedevice according to claim 22, wherein the roller is arranged within thecutout.
 24. The device according to claim 22, wherein the cutout isclosed all around.
 25. The device according to claim 21, wherein theroller is rotatable about an axle pin welded to the metal core.